BRITISH is best when it comes to apples as shoppers have started snubbing import Pink Lady for the home-grown Cox for the first time.

With the apple season at its peak in the UK the home-grown varieties have been flying off the shelves.

Sales of the Cox have soared and are now 50 per cent higher than former favourite Pink Lady, which is mainly grown in France and New Zealand, according to retailer Marks and Spencer.

The store has now decided to start selling other British varieties such as Red Delicious and Granny Smiths. Until now M&S had sourced these apples from the USA and Italy.

The retailer has also pioneered a trial to grow Granny Smiths in the UK.

Marks and Spencer has also pioneered a trial to grow Granny Smiths in the UK.

M&S’s apple buyer, Shazad Rehman, said: “Red Delicious is a key variety for our customers. We are delighted to be able to offer them this season. We have seen Granny Smiths sales double within the last year.

“We see a real opportunity in selling British Granny Smiths and through the hard work of our dedicated British grower base we have been able to achieve something really extraordinary.”